Body image and weight gain during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal weight at the beginning of pregnancy and maternal weight gain during pregnancy affect the fetal health. Overweighting during pregnancy is affected by nutritional, physical, and psychological factors, including body image. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between body image and gestational weight gain. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 200 women who were 38-40 weeks pregnant in 4 subsets—thin, normal, overweight, and obese. These individuals were selected by random block sampling from health centers in Qaen City. Body image data were collected via a body image questionnaire in 6 dimensions, and BMI before pregnancy, and gestational weight gain were obtained from maternal health records. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 and ANOVA, chi square tests, and linear regression. Results: There was no significant difference in gestational weight gain between individuals with moderate, good, and excellent body image (P=0.183). Gestational weight gain was significantly different between obese women with intermediate, well, and excellent body image (P=0.046). Adjustment for confounding variables by linear regression showed that BMI was the only variable predicting gestational weight gain (R²=-0.212, 95% CI [-0.244—0.45], P=0.005). Conclusion: Among the variables of age, gravidity, number of live children, BMI, and body image, only BMI predicted gestational weight gain. However, more research is needed to evaluate other psychosocial factors affecting pregnancy weight gain. In addition, longitudinal studies on body image concerns during pregnancy and gestational weight gain are recommended.